Fire Sale (1977)

Benny and his wife Ruthie a getting set to drive down to Florida, but Benny needs someone to look after his store while he's gone. Though he doesn't think much of him, Benny hands the ... See full summary »

Director:

Alan Arkin

Writers:

Robert Klane (screenplay), Robert Klane (novel)

Stars:

Alan Arkin, Rob Reiner, Vincent Gardenia

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Arkin	...	Ezra Fikus
Rob Reiner	...	Russel Fikus
Vincent Gardenia	...	Benny Fikus
Anjanette Comer	...	Marion Fikus
Kay Medford	...	Ruth Fikus
Barbara Dana	...	Virginia
Sid Caesar	...	Sherman
Alex Rocco	...	Al
Byron Stewart	...	Captain
Oliver Clark	...	Mr. Blossom
William Bogert	...	Insurance Doctor (as Bill Bogert)
Richard Libertini	...	Painter
MacIntyre Dixon	...	Painter
John Batiste	...	M.D. #1
Augusta Dabney	...	Mrs. Cooper

Storyline

Benny and his wife Ruthie a getting set to drive down to Florida, but Benny needs someone to look after his store while he's gone. Though he doesn't think much of him, Benny hands the responsibility over to his son, Russel. While Russel doesn't get much respect from his parents, he's better off than his brother, Ezra, whom Benny has gone so far as to disown. Ezra is currently battling with his work (coach of a high school basketball team that hasn't won in ages) and his wife (who keeps nagging him that she wants to have a baby as soon as possible) at the same time.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Taglines:

The Fikus Family: They're Not Roasted. They're Not Salted. They're Just Plain Nuts.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 January 1978 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Det bränns farsan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Ezra Fikus: How would you like your name to be Booker T. Fikus?

User Reviews

Funniest movie in history -- to about 1% of the population

Alan Arkin, Rob Reiner, Vincent Gardenia, Alex Rocco, Kay Medford, Sid Caeser and a 7 foot tall black teenager named Captain F*@% in the most Jewish movie ever made. As I watched this on Fox Movie Channel earlier tonight I wasn't laughing -- because my mouth was hanging open too wide. Where to begin? Where?!? This movie has the highest per capita amount of asthma jokes I've ever seen. Just when you think there are no more laughs to get out of an asthma joke -- there's another! And all Ruthie wants is to visit her sister in Florida (pronounced Flaaaaahrida.) Need I mention that the patriarch of the family is in the garment business? And he has a sign on his door for his son to read which says "Keep Out Putz?" Need I mention that everyone talks down to the Spanish speaking men painting the house? Need I mention that Ruthie won't allow her husband to attend such an occasion in a sports jacket and slacks? Need I mention that Alan Arkin refers to the refrigerator as "the icebox?" Oh. . .oh, I'm starting to palpitate. This film is unavailable on DVD or VHS, but Fox Movie Network is pretty good about rerunning things. If they show it again, I am taping it.